Ann was born on April 1, 1962 to Antonio Santilli and Immacolata (Messere) in Jersey City. She grew up in Jersey City, became a teacher and served the children of Jersey City. She moved to Montreal, Canada for her first marriage. Following her divorce she returned to live with her parents, as a single mother, now in Middletown, NJ and returned to teaching in Jersey City. She eventually moved out on her own with her daughter, Anissa, to Highlands, where she met her future husband Alan Abels.

Following the marriage, she and her daughter moved to Brick, to live with her husband. All this time she continued to teach in Jersey City. She then was offered a leadership position at the Board office and only accepted it after she could see that rather than impact 25 kids each year, she would be impacting 28 or more times 25. There was nothing she enjoyed more than baking goodies for her family, friends and coworkers.

Ann is survived by her loving parents, Anthony and Immacolata Santilli, brother, Robert Santilli and his wife Zorelys De Gennaro, daughter, Anissa Santilli-Marcone, husband, Alan Abels, several nieces and nephews and countless extended family members in the US, Canada and Italy. A funeral mass is scheduled for 10:30 A.M. Thursday, April 27 at St. Mary, Mother of God Church (the old church), 26 Leonardville Road, Middletown, NJ 07748 (732-671-0071). Anyone wishing to share their memories, are invited to Ann's house, 180 Manorside Drive, Brick, NJ 08724 following the service. Ann requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Red Clay Ranch Equine Rescue and Sanctuary, Inc. 364 Parker Rd, Lyerly, GA 30730.

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